[APWG] CONFERENCE: Invasive Species in Coastal Dunes & Maritime Forests July 16-17 (Lakewood, NJ)

[Olivia Kwong]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Dear all,

Georgian Court University in Lakewood New Jersey is joining with the New
Jersey Sea Grant / NJ Marine Science Consortium to sponsor a conference on
Invasive Species in Coastal Dunes and Maritime Forests that will be hosted
at Georgian Court this summer.  The conference will be held on July 16-17
with an optional field trip to these habitats on July 15.  Some information
on this conference is posted below.  For details on registration, abstract
submission, accommodations etc. please visit the conference WebPages at
http://www.georgian.edu/dunes/index.htm.  Hope to see you there!

Also, I know many of you have networks of colleagues to whom you are
connected via email lists / list serves and the like.  If you think it
appropriate, I'd really appreciate your helping to spread the word about
this conference by forwarding this message to your various networks,
dis-lists etc.

Thanks!

Louise

CONFERENCE INTRODUCTION:
Along the Atlantic Coast of the United States, coastal dune and maritime
forest habitats have been significantly altered or degraded by human
activities. Since many of the plant species found in these habitats are
found nowhere else, reduction of these areas is making these species
increasingly rare. Exotic and invasive species pose a major threat to
ecological function in these dwindling habitats. Professionals dealing with
these ecosystems rarely have the opportunity to meet, exchange information,
and share expertise. This conference will bring together interested
academics, managers, and environmental professionals and practitioners to
share information about effective management strategies and work together
to generate recommendations for policies and strategies to effectively
combat the spread of these invasive species.

In addition to the keynote and other invited speakers, panel discussions,
and breakout sessions, there is room for a limited number of submitted
presentations, as well as a poster session showcasing work that addresses
one or more of the following conference themes:

*   Basic Biology of Invasive Species: Focus on the latest scientific
advances (impacts, expansion, genetics, etc.) of key invasive species of
dunes (e.g. Carex kobomugi and Vitex rotundifolia) and maritime forests
(e.g. Rosa multiflora, Celastrus orbiculata, and Elaeagnus umbellata).

*   Management/Prevention: Focus on case studies, best management
practices, and lessons learned in regards to management of invasive species
in these habitats.

*  Policy: Focus on challenges and roadblocks in policy that limit response
to coastal invasive species and on development of better policies for
invasive species management in these unique environments.

*  Education / Outreach: Focus on successful education and outreach
programs about best practices for managing existing invasive species and
avoiding future introductions in coastal habitats, and use of alternative
native plantings, targeted at nurseries and landscape professionals,
teachers, and homeowners, etc.

Again, please visit http://www.georgian.edu/dunes/index.htm  for more
information.

Louise Wootton, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Georgian Court University,
Lakewood NJ 08701
phone: 732 987 2349
fax: 732 987 2010
http://gcuonline.georgian.edu/wootton_l/